Tom Petersen, Author at Omaha Criminal Defense Lawyer

DUI Lawyer Answers Common Questions

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in DUI on Friday, February 15, 2019

While there are repeat offenders, the average driving under the influence (DUI) defendant is an otherwise law-abiding citizen who had a lapse in judgment and ended up under arrest. That means that the average DUI defendant also knows very little about the offense for which he/she is charged in particular and about the criminal justice system in general. If you were recently arrested and charged with DUI, that means you may have a number of questions. To help you better understand your situation, a DUI lawyer answers some common questions. Do I need a lawyer? Ultimately, it is your decision

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How to Think Like a Police Officer – and Avoid Getting Pulled Over By One

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Law, Uncategorized on Friday, February 8, 2019

Whether you are driving under the influence with contraband in the vehicle, or you are a perfectly law-abiding citizen with nothing to hide, no one enjoys getting pulled over by a police officer. At a bare minimum, a traffic stop can be embarrassing, time-consuming, and potentially expensive if the officer finds a reason to write a ticket. Worst case scenario you could end up being placed under arrest, taken to jail, and your vehicle could be impounded. An Omaha criminal defense lawyer at Petersen Criminal Defense Law explains that to avoid getting pulled over, you need to learn to think

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Record-Breaking Drug Seizures in Lancaster County Explain Police Presence

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Drug Crimes on Friday, February 1, 2019

If you are a resident of Lancaster County, Nebraska, you may occasionally wonder why you see so many law enforcement vehicles on the area’s roadways. Although the county’s largest city (Lincoln) is hardly a one stop light town, neither is it the size of Omaha. So why does it seem as though you cannot drive through the county without seeing law enforcement vehicles that appear to be just waiting to pull someone over? The answer is Interstate 80. More specifically, the drugs that are so frequently transported along I-80. To illustrate the problem, an I-80 drug stop lawyer from Petersen

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High Court Says Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado Does Not Change Standards in Nebraska

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Defense on Friday, January 25, 2019

Omaha marijuana defense attorney Tom Petersen explains that the Nebraska Supreme Court recently upheld a lower court’s ruling that allowed the warrantless search of a vehicle which ultimately resulted in the discovery and seizure of methamphetamine. At issue was whether the legalization of marijuana in nearby Colorado should change the standards for conducting such a search in Nebraska. State v. Seckinger involved a 2017 traffic stop in Gering, Nebraska which was initiated by a Nebraska State Trooper after the trooper watched a vehicle accelerate into an intersection in front of her and nearly cause an accident. When the trooper approached

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How Long Could I Go to Jail for If Convicted of Trafficking Drugs?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Drug Crimes on Friday, January 18, 2019

When times are tough, it can be very tempting to make some extra money by transporting drugs across town or across the country. The people who try and recruit drivers always make it sound so easy – and virtually risk-free. It isn’t risk-free of course, but the money can be enticing. Before you find yourself contemplating just such an offer, make sure you know what you could be facing if you are caught. A Nebraska I-80 drug stop lawyer explains how long you could go to jail for if convicted of trafficking drugs. State vs. Federal Trafficking In the U.S.

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What Must the State Prove to Convict Me of Conspiracy?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Law on Friday, January 11, 2019

If you were asked to define the word “conspiracy” you would probably be fairly comfortable doing so. It is one of those words that is used frequently enough that it seems easy to explain. Most of us, after all, have a favorite conspiracy theory from history. Being able to explain your favorite conspiracy theory, however, isn’t the same as explaining what it means to be accused of conspiracy to commit a criminal offense. The Omaha criminal lawyers discuss what the prosecution must prove to convict you of conspiracy in Nebraska. Nebraska Conspiracy Law In the United States, our system of

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What Is Constructive Possession?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Drug Crimes on Thursday, January 3, 2019

Imagine landing in jail, charged with possession of a controlled substance or some other contraband, having never even touched the contraband. Imagine further that you are not the only person charged with possession of that same contraband. If you are like the average person you are likely wondering how that is possible. How can more than one person be charged with possession of the same item at the same time? Moreover, how can anyone be charged with possession of something they never even touched? The answer lies in the legal concept known as “constructive possession” as explained by a Nebraska

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5 Situations When You May Not Realize You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Law on Friday, December 28, 2018

The average person does not need the services of a criminal defense attorney on a regular basis. Moreover, the average person doesn’t really know that much about the criminal justice system. In fact, it is not uncommon for people to not realize that they need a criminal defense attorney in a situation that really calls for legal representation. Not recognizing that you need a criminal defense attorney can – and often does – lead to rights being violated. In an effort to prevent that from happening to you, an Omaha criminal defense attorney discusses five situations when you may not

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Understanding a No Contact Order

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Law on Friday, December 21, 2018

For the average person, being arrested and charged with a crime for the first time is a fairly frightening event. Along with worrying about the ultimate outcome of your case, you must also try to navigate the criminal justice system, something that can be extremely challenging for the uninitiated. Hiring an experienced Nebraska criminal defense attorney to represent you and protect your rights is the most important step you can take and should be your initial focus. Learning some of the most important dos and don’ts of being a defendant is also a good idea. For example, do you know

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Asserting Your Right to Remain Silent

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Drug Crimes on Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Almost everyone has heard of the “right to remain silent.” Every law enforcement drama on television has shown a police officer informing a suspect of his right to remain silent at least once. Given that the public is, for the most part, aware of the existence of the right to remain silent, you might assume it is asserted and relied on regularly by people who come into contact with law enforcement officers. You would be incorrect. Despite how familiar people are with the concept of the right to remain silent, it is frequently not relied on when it should be.

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